October 16, 2024

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The Latest News

Current Technical Issues in NHSN

Below is important information regarding current technical issues in the application for the Respiratory Pathogens and Vaccinations (RPV) and Point of Care (POC) modules in the Long-term Care Facility Component of the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN). The NHSN team says they are working hard to resolve these issues as quickly as possible and will inform users when they have been resolved.

Current Issues in the RPV Module

Healthcare Personnel (HCP) menu tab: The COVID-19 Vaccination – The HCP tab is not currently visible from the menu when you hover over Respiratory Pathogens and Vaccination on the home page. This form was not removed, and there are no changes in reporting requirements. You can still access this form by clicking RPV Summary and selecting the reporting week from the calendar view.
Analysis and Reporting – HCP: To view HCP COVID-19 Vaccination data, please utilize the report titled “Line Listing - All COVID-19 Vaccination Cumulative Summary Data - HCP” under Respiratory Pathogens and Vaccination > Archived > COVID-19 Vaccination. Currently, the version of this report in the RPV Summary folder is not working appropriately, however the line list mentioned above in the Archived folder will populate the HCP data appropriately.

Current Issues in the Archived: COVID-19/Respiratory Pathogens Surveillance Pathways Module 

There is a technical issue with the COVID-19/Respiratory Pathogens Surveillance Pathways Module preventing users from adding and/or editing data for dates prior to 9/30/24. The issue is occurring for both facility and group users.

Current Issues in the Point of Care Module

There is a technical issue in the Point of Care (POC) test result reporting tool requiring an answer to be selected for gender identity, even though this question is not indicated as a required field for manual test result data entry. This issue does not affect .csv uploads.

Additional Questions

If you have any questions regarding the above NHSN modules, please use NHSN-ServiceNow to submit questions to the NHSN Help Desk. The portal can be accessed here or through your CDC Secure Access Management Services (SAMS) account. After logging into SAMS, the NHSN-ServiceNow is located at the bottom at the bottom of the page. 

October 2024 Medicaid Training Opportunity Reminder

Looking for an opportunity to expand your knowledge of Kansas Medicaid and KanCare? Look no further than the upcoming Medicaid training courses the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, Division of Health Care Finance, (KDHE-DHCF) offers!

The KDHE/DHCF Medicaid Training team has scheduled ten training courses in October for KDHE-DHCF employees to attend. These courses are conducted virtually via Zoom with the exception of one being offered as Computer Based Training (CBT).

Each course focuses on foundational topics related to Medicaid in Kansas. Attending these trainings will help you excel in your job and provide better service to those we serve.

Registration will close four days before the start date of each course.

A Message From CMS Regarding the Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) Program

Please read the letter from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), summarizing accomplishments from this scope of the Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) program and for information on future quality improvement programs supporting nursing homes, clinicians and hospitals in the coming months.

AHCA CMO Dr. David Gifford Discusses Get Vaccinated Campaign

In an episode of "Perspectives in Long Term Care" for Provider Magazine (10/15, 151K), host Debbie Stadtler "sits down with Dr. David Gifford, chief medical officer at the American Health Care Association, to discuss the Get Vaccinated campaign, which streamlines vaccine and infection control information for long term care providers." Provider adds, "Dr. Gifford addresses common misconceptions about vaccines, clarifying that their primary purpose is to prevent severe illness rather than infection." Moreover, Dr. Gifford "highlights the need to understand individual vaccine hesitancy and advocates for using motivational interviewing techniques to build trust and encourage vaccination."

Ready to embark on your 2025 Quality Award journey?

FREE WEBINAR TOMORROW!

Join AHCA/NCAL for an exclusive webinar, where the Quality Award Program staff will guide you through the step-by-step process of submitting your Intent to Apply.

Date: Thursday, October 17, 2024

Time: 1 PM CDT

Join KHCA/KCAL in November for a Free Bronze Virtual Workshop. If your organization has thought about participating in the AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award program, this is your opportunity to complete the Bronze Award application from beginning to end with coaching support along the way from expert facilitators. READ MORE

Members Only Nurse Advisory Committee (NAC) and Facility Standards Call – Friday, October 18, 2024 10:00 AM - 11:00AM

Join us at 10:00AM where Cynthia Pendleton, Facility Standards VP and Linda Farrar, KHCA Clinical Consultant will review recent SNF survey findings followed by Nurse Advisory Committee President, Michelle Novotny and Vice President, Teresa Coover to discuss Nursing Scholarships, hot topics, and the latest happenings.

Latest Survey Findings

Reflections

Microsoft Teams Need help?

Join the meeting now

Meeting ID: 289 284 177 25

Passcode: zcf5Wd

Dial in by phone

+1 929-336-6311,,992893787# United States, New York City

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Phone conference ID: 992 893 787#

Celebrate Achievements in Long-Term Care with HQIN on November 6!

Join the Health Quality Innovation Network (HQIN) and your fellow nursing home professionals from Kansas, Missouri, South Carolina and Virginia as we honor your achievements. After the celebration, gain valuable insights on how to maintain your progress.

We will share top interventions, evidence-based resources and strategies to support the prevention of adverse drug events, healthcare associated infections (HAIs), avoidable readmissions, the reduction of emergency department usage as well as improving vaccination rates. READ MORE

Virtual Adult Care Home Operators Course

11/6 - 11/19/2024

This hybrid course is designed to provide you with everything necessary to prep you to become a Registered Adult Care Home Operator in the State of Kansas. The class is based on the principles of assisted living as outlined in the KDADS regulation manual and is taught by a variety of presenters that are currently working in the field. The course will be facilitated by Joan Hudson, KCAL Clinical Consultant and Polly Berkley, VP of Operations and Education for KHCA/KCAL. This course provides knowledge and insight on the rules, regulations and responsibilities governing the operation of a state licensed only adult care home.